So glad I didn’t book inter-Europe flight too far in advance

I agree with not booking too far in advance. It’s fine to plan, but I cringe when I see people booking things over 6 months in advance unless it’s an absolute necessity. Maybe it’s just been my life experiences, but I’ve learned that life can throw you an ugly curveball and can interfere with travel plans.

Great info for the planning strategies, thank you!

It can go either way. We were traveling by train from Paris to Barcelona. Major strike issues ensued. We had to get to Barcelona for our tour so I purchased backup plane tickets. Guess what? Sky high compared to what I would have paid 6 months in advance. I purchased refundable fares at $$$ and the train worked so I lucked out. If you have a methodology for predicting which way airfares will go let me know. Maybe I can use that for the stock market....

We too are traveling from Barcelona to Paris by the fast train 6/5.

When I go to the big travel company websites looking for budget European airlines, they are often not represented. I go to Wikipedia and enter the airport I'm interested in. The direct flights out of every airport in the world is listed on Wikipedia, and someone in the industry updates flight changes immediately. Then we'll book the flights directly through the airline's website. Wikipedia is a fabulous tool for any traveler to use.

No, I still book everything in advance. More than not it always has paid off and saved me money. Small aircraft with only 19 seats for example in the Greek island fill up quickly. Also booking in advance ensures my choice of hotel/airbnb is available, same as activities.

Most airlines confirm their schedules 7 months to a year out, so looking in January for a November flight may have been a little early, but it depends on the airline.

Most of the value airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair are cheaper the further out you book. EasyJet released their flights this week for booking until late March 2020, so I have booked to go to the Canary Islands for some winter sun in November. Last year, if I had booked this a month before travel, it would have cost me double the price paid and this difference can be triple or more if travelling in peak season.

Booking flights early allows me to confirm the booking for the villa that I rent.

I have travel insurance if the trip needs to be cancelled.

Yes, the larger legacy carriers do release their tickets earlier than the smaller, budget airlines but the most important consideration is when you want to fly. Flights during school holidays will never decrease in my experience. Mine and two other families are travelling to Mallorca for May half term, two of us bought our flights back in November (even then they were extortionate), my other friend decided to wait as he believed he could get a cheaper flight. Several months later he reluctantly bought the same flight out but has to return a day earlier as the other flight was prohibitively expensive.

I don't book many inter Europe flights, but I have started to second guess those airline flights booked 8-10 months in advance. I have been stuck a few times with flight cancellations or time shifts that no longer fit with other confirmed reservations or tours. However, there have been some trips where accommodation books up in certain cities 8 or more months in advance, (Newfoundland doesn't have a lot of choices in some locations) so I prefer to book flights before confirming lodgings.
I will mention, however, that just because airlines change flights, you can call and negotiate alternative flights to suit you. It seems some passengers either don't know this, or accept what is given and convolute themselves to work with it. I go online prior to phoning, look at what options I am willing to accept, phone them and then tell them what I want, rather than accept what they gave/give me.

My sweet spot for booking is roughly two to three months out. I have booked earlier but only when it's both desirable flight times and a great price.